ebfstallions.com Fillies’ Handicap (Class 3)

Pontefract

Race Overview

A £20,000 handicap for three year old fillies and upwards rated between 71-90, but also open to fillies rated 91 and 92. The top weight, 91-rated Rebel Assault, has taken advantage of the race conditions to find a place in the line-up.

Run over the stiff six furlongs at the world’s largest round track, they race uphill virtually all the way through the three-quarters of a mile of this contest, with only the last half furlong leveling off before before the finishing line, meaning this is no track for a ‘short runner’.

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Favourite Bambino Lola

Has flown the flag for her Surrey-based trainer, she was a fair two-year-old last season and has trained on nicely, running well all three starts this campaign, including a fine effort when third in a hot York handicap last time out.

Other Contenders

Brockholes has won two of her last four starts and remains in good form, Rebel Assault won in listed company at York last October, Penny Pot Lane runs well here and is coming down the weights, while handicap debutante Denham is another who may well be of interest.

Race Analysis

A competitive six furlong handicap where a number of the runners can certainly be given a chance if they bring their best form to the table. After some consideration the vote to go last year’s winning stable with the Richard Whitaker-trained PENNY POT LANE having fallen to an attractive mark. The yard has had a poor campaign and Whitaker only sent out his first winner of the season last week, a sign that things are starting to look up.

Penny Pot Lane won twice last season, including over course and distance on soft ground in September, and the daughter of Misu Bond went close on her only other visit here a month earlier when losing out by just half a length. Although possibly ideally suited by give in the ground, she has run a number of good races on a faster surface and has dropped to a very fair mark. Her below-par effort last time came over seven furlongs which is beyond her optimum trip of today’s distance.

Brockholes has already won two this term, both over seven furlongs, so this stiff six furlongs should not be a problem. She is closely matched with Maureb who she beat by a head at Catterick in May (see below) and who is now 3lb better off with her conqueror.

A thrilling finish to the @Racing_UK Profits Returned To Racing Fillies' Handicap. Brockholes battles bravely to justify favouritism and gains her second success here at Catterick. pic.twitter.com/1tZj5zpSUJ

Decent three-year-old Bambino Lola has to concede 13lb to the selection but she is in fine form and her effort at York last time when beaten just a length-and-a-quarter in a hot six furlong handicap was highly commendable. She’s been pushed back up a couple of pounds but seems to be in great heart and should give a very good account of herself once again.

Top weight Rebel Assault was a very useful juvenile last term winning three times, most notably her fine success in the listed Rockingham Stakes at York in October where she sprang a 25/1 surprise, battling back once headed to win. The Excelebration filly ran her best race so far this term when fading only late on over seven furlongs in a decent race at Chelmsford last time and the drop back to this trip looks the right move. Sure to be ridden prominently, Mark Johnston’s representative won’t be an easy horse to pass.

Michael Appleby’s Denham, tried in listed company last time, wasn’t disgraced and now makes her handicap debut. She probably has a little to find but any market support would be noteworthy, while the two remaining fillies, Enrolment and Silver Starlight are not totally out of it despite not having run to their best in recent starts.

Betting.net Selection

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New customers only, limited to one per person. If you’ve previously had a Paddy Power account, you will not qualify for the offer. Place your FIRST bet on any Sportsbook market and if it loses we will refund your stake in CASH. Max refund for this offer is £20. Only deposits made using Cards or Paypal will qualify for this promotion.

Written by Paul Alster

Paul Alster has been part of the British and international racing media for more than three decades working as a race commentator, TV/radio presenter, journalist, betting correspondent, SP returner, and form analyst. He’s always sought out overpriced runners in handicap races, a quest that excites him as much now as it did at the start of his career.

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